RAGING FOR LIFE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 4, 24 January 1891, Page 8

RAGING FOR LIFE.

One hot, sultry day a party of gentlemen left Jacksonville in the Southern States on a sporting expedition, taking with them several valuable, well-trained dogs. The owner of a splendid retriever shot at and wounded a duck on the northern bank of the stream, which was about eighty yards wide. The wounded duck fell into a jungle on the opposite side and the dog went after, but could not find it. The dog had only left the further bank on his return, when suddenly the snout of an alligator rose above the water. The saurian gave chase, while the gentlemen called the dog. The animal seemed to realise his peril and yelped while the alligator forged ahead. The cries* of the party were continuous, and the dog swam his best. The alligator did not dip one moment, but kept his eyes fastened upon tne form of the dog. Not an inch seemed to be gained or lost by either. The race was matchless. The alligator attempted occasional spurts, making the water rush by in a snowy foam, and the dog, evidently equal to the emergency, would lay his ears back and speed along with astonishing swiftness. The middle of the stream was reached, and the distance between pursuer and pursued remained the same. The sportsmen began to fear that the dog would give out before they could get an effective shot at the alligatcr. Under the circumstances they could not fire for fear of killing the dog : besides, having only duck shot instead of ball, their chances of inflicting any damage upon the reptile were few. The dog swam anxiously, excitedly, fixing his eyes upon the group of men and the low' shore. Only about thirty yards more, and if all went well the dog would be safe. The alligator changed his tactics. He would dip his snout slightly under the water, and in a wriggling way would make astonishing spurts, but did not seeiii to decrease the distance. After each spurt the alligator seemed to lose a little ground, but very little. At fifteen yards from the bank the size of the monster could be estimated. He was more than three yards in length. Every atom of energy was exercised by both. Cries rang out by the men. The excitement began to intensify—the alligator was gaining. The brute did not notice the anxious spectators on the shore. Suddenly a report was heard. It was a shot at the alligator from a fowling-piece. Heedless of the noise, the contestants in the race kept on. Only a few feet and the dog would be a victim I In vain did the retriever try to lengthen the distance, to no purpose. The alligator was now gaining inch by inch. The dog was becoming inspired, possibly, with too much fear, for he made several piteous yelping appeals for help. Seven yards nearer the bank, seven yards from the goal of hope and life for the dog, and still the race was going on, with grim determination. Every hunter had his fowling-piece ready to discharge at the alligator as soon as he could do so with safety. The dog touched the sloping, watercovered bank of the stream, and, with a wild cry of delight from the sportsmen, and a yelp of joy from the dog, he soon was bounding on the shore. The determination of the alligator was so great that he stranded on the bank, but he rested there only for a moment. Several charges of shot were poured upon him in a volley. He turned quickly and r with a spring, lashed the deeper water, and dived away.